U.S. U-17 Women’s Youth National Team roster unveiled for Spain trip

CHICAGO – The U.S. Under-17 Women’s Youth National Team will travel to Spain from Aug. 17-Sept. 1 for two matches against Spain and one game against Germany.

The trip abroad will serve as the USA’s final training camp before the team gathers for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will be staged from Oct. 11-30 in India.

Head coach Natalia Astrain has called up 24 players for the training camp, including 17 who helped the USA qualify for the World Cup on the way to winning the Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship this spring. Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2005, are age-eligible for this U-17 Women’s World Cup. Astrain selected 18 players born in 2005, five born in 2006 and one born in 2007.

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The USA will face Spain on Aug. 23 and 25 at Ciudad del Futbol Las Rozas in Madrid and Germany on Aug. 31 at Ciudad Deportivo Wanda in Madrid. Germany and Spain clinched berths to the 2022 U-17 WWC by finishing first and second at the 2022 UEFA Women’s U-17 Championship as Germany topped Spain in penalties to claim the European title. Spain is the reigning U-17 World Cup champions after winning the 2018 FIFA U-17 WWC in Uruguay.

U.S. UNDER-17 WOMEN’S YOUTH NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER BY POSITION – SPAIN FRIENDLIES (CLUB; HOMETOWN)

GOALKEEPERS (3): Valentina Amaral (Florida Kraze Krush; Oviedo, Fla.), Abigail Gundry (NC Courage; Wake Forest, N.C.), Victoria Safradin (Internationals SC; Eastlake, Ohio)

DEFENDERS (6): Ella Emri (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Nicola Fraser (Real Colorado National; Highlands Ranch, Colo.), Alyssa Gonzalez (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Savannah King (Slammers HB Koge; West Hills, Calif.), Cameron Roller (Solar SC; Sherman, Texas), Gisele Thompson (Total Futbol Academy; Studio City, Calif.)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Mia Bhuta (Unattached; Pittsburgh, Pa.), Anna Castenfelt (Utah Royals FC – Arizona; Paradise Valley, Ariz.), Riley Jackson (Concorde Fire; Roswell, Ga.), Eleanor Klinger (Internationals SC; Cleveland, Ohio), Charlotte Kohler (MVLA; Woodside, Calif.), Audrey Lam (Lamorinda SC; Piedmont, Calif.), Lauren Martinho (NC Courage; Cary, N.C.)

FORWARDS (8): Emeri Adames (Solar SC; Red Oak, Texas), Melanie Barcenas (San Diego Surf; San Diego, Calif.), Onyeka Gamero (Beach FC; Cerritos, Calif.), Nicollette Kiorpes (NEFC; Worcester, Mass.), Mia Oliaro (NC Courage; Chapel Hill, N.C.), Melina Rebimbas (PDA; Warren, N.J.), Taylor Suarez (Charlotte SA; Charlotte, N.C.), Amalia Villarreal (Solar SC / Lansing, Mich.)

Seven players who did not participate in the USA’s World Cup qualifying campaign will join the team in Spain: goalkeeper Valentina Amaral, defender Ella Emri, midfielders Anna Castenfelt, Eleanor Klinger and Audrey Lam plus forwards Emeri Adames and Melanie Barcenas. Barcenas was named to the initial qualifying roster but suffered an injury prior to the tournament and was replaced by forward Taylor Suarez.

Several of the USA’s top performers return from the Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship. Midfielder Riley Jackson won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player while goalkeeper Victoria Safradin won the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper. Forwards Melina Rebimbas and Amalia Villarreal led the U.S. in scoring with eight goals each.

After all 20 players on the World cup qualifying roster made their international debuts, the seven players not present in the Dominican Republic will aim to earn their first caps at any level against Spain and Germany. The matches will be the entire squad’s first international matches against opponents outside of Concacaf.

The 24 players come from 17 clubs, led by three each from the NC Courage and San Diego Surf. Twelve states are represented on the roster, with eight players hailing from California.

The USA was drawn into Group A for the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s’ World Cup alongside host India, Brazil and Morocco. The U.S. will face India in the tournament’s opening game on Tuesday, Oct. 11 before an expected capacity crowd in Bhubaneswar. The USA will then take on Brazil in Bhubaneswar on Friday, Oct. 14 before finishing the group stage vs. Morocco on Monday, Oct. 17 in Goa.